Omar, Farooq remember Akbar Jehan on 11 death anniversary

Chief minister Omar Abdullah and Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah on Monday pledged to carry forward the mission of Begum Akbar Jehan on her 11th death anniversary.

Jehan, widely known as Madre-e-Meharban, is grandmother of Omar and mother of Farooq. Jehanis is buried next to the National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah near the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake. Both the chief minister and his father offered fateh (special prayers for the dead) on the grave.

Omar recalled his acquaintance with his grandmother in his address to the students of Madr-e-Meharban Public School in Gulab Bagh area.

"From my childhood, I have remained attached to my dadi and found him always working for the welfare of his people, especially women and children," said Omar adding, "Whenever, I entered her room she was either offering namaz or reciting Quran. I saw her always praying for the betterment and welfare of the people and for the prosperity of the state".

The chief minister said it was the strong courage and braveness of Madr-e-Meharban that gave strength to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to carry forward his mission successfully. "She stood by her husband through thick and thin and supported his struggle and led the nation when Sheikh sahib was in jail," said Omar.

Union minister Farooq Abdullah lauded Jehan's role in the development and growth of Gujjar and Bakerwals, women and children, poor and needy. "She was our mother and father both because Sheikh sahib was in jail for a long time and it was her who cared for our education and proper development," said Farooq.